Summary of Criminal Prosecutions
FISCAL YEAR: 2010
1. PRINCIPAL DEFENDANT: Scott Harris
N.D. Iowa CR 10-1006
N.D. Iowa CR 10-1006
On August 26, 2010, Scott Harris was given a $1,000 criminal fine, placed on probation for 24 months and was ordered to perform of community service for submitting false drinking water analysis to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Harris was the certified operator of the city of Edgewood’s drinking water treatment plant. An investigation revealed that he had not used Hatch chlorine test kits that were purchased by the city to test for residual chlorine. The Hatch residual chlorine test is conducted to show that the chlorine disinfectant is maintained at high enough levels to kill bacteria and still be safe for human consumption.
April 19, 2010
Harris was charged in an Information with one count of making false statements, a violation of 18 U.S.C. 1001(a)(2).
He pled guilty to the single count.
Northern District of Iowa
Press Releases
April 22, 2010 FALSE DRINKING WATER REPORTS LEAD TO FEDERAL CONVICTION A former operator of the City of Edgewood Water Treatment Plant who submitted false testing reports pled guilty on April 19, 2009, in federal court in Cedar Rapids. Scott John Harris, 43, from Edgewood, Iowa, was convicted of one count of making false statements in a matter within the jurisdiction of the Environmental Protection Agency. At the plea hearing, Harris admitted that, from about February 2008 to about July 2009, he submitted false entries to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources for Edgewood monthly operational reports. Harris claimed he tested and recorded fluoride, chlorine, and manganese levels, but he had not performed the tests and knew the monthly operating reports he submitted were false. The water treatment plant provides drinking water to the people of Edgewood, Iowa. No known health issues occurred due to Harris’ lack of testing. Sentencing before United States District Court Chief Judge Linda R. Reade will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Harris remains free on bond previously set pending sentencing. Harris faces a possible maximum sentence of 5 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a $100 special assessment, and a term of supervised release up to 3 years following any imprisonment. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Matt Cole and was investigated by the Environmental Protection Agency and Iowa Department of Natural Resources.
CITATION: 18 U.S.C. 1001(a)(2)
Northern District of Iowa
Press Releases
April 22, 2010 FALSE DRINKING WATER REPORTS LEAD TO FEDERAL CONVICTION A former operator of the City of Edgewood Water Treatment Plant who submitted false testing reports pled guilty on April 19, 2009, in federal court in Cedar Rapids. Scott John Harris, 43, from Edgewood, Iowa, was convicted of one count of making false statements in a matter within the jurisdiction of the Environmental Protection Agency. At the plea hearing, Harris admitted that, from about February 2008 to about July 2009, he submitted false entries to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources for Edgewood monthly operational reports. Harris claimed he tested and recorded fluoride, chlorine, and manganese levels, but he had not performed the tests and knew the monthly operating reports he submitted were false. The water treatment plant provides drinking water to the people of Edgewood, Iowa. No known health issues occurred due to Harris’ lack of testing. Sentencing before United States District Court Chief Judge Linda R. Reade will be set after a presentence report is prepared. Harris remains free on bond previously set pending sentencing. Harris faces a possible maximum sentence of 5 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a $100 special assessment, and a term of supervised release up to 3 years following any imprisonment. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Matt Cole and was investigated by the Environmental Protection Agency and Iowa Department of Natural Resources.
August 26, 2010
Harris was sentenced to 24 months probation and ordered to pay a $1,000 federal fine.
STATUTE:
- Title 18 U.S. Criminal Code (TITLE 18)